Traveling Tips

Traveling Tips

Whether you are booking an exotic vacation or business trip, making travel arrangements can be a chore. It takes time to find the best prices and coordinate logistics through each step of your journey. Thankfully, there are numerous resources on the Internet where simultaneous booking of flights, rental cars and hotels is easy. It may take a bit of planning, but making the correct travel arrangements before leaving is one more way to ensure a smooth trip.

Step 1

Choose the exact destination of your trip. Determine the exact addresses of where you will be going. Will you be traveling to multiple locations? Are there multiple airports?

Step 2

Choose your ideal travel dates based on the activities you plan to do. If attending a business meeting or conference, consider flying into town the day before to allow plenty of time for preparation. If vacationing, think about the typical weather during the dates you wish to travel.

Step 3

Book air, rail or ground transportation at least three weeks in advance of travel. Compare flights online through Websites like Globalpathholidays.com. Will you need a rental car upon arrival? Arrange additional transportation needed upon arrival through the same Websites. Also, take advantage of any frequent flyer miles you may have earned in the past.

Step 4

Make living accommodations two weeks before arrival. Hotels and hostels require booking prior to arrival and often ask for a credit card to hold the reservation. Other less formal accommodations, such as motels or guests houses, can be sought out upon arrival. Check Couchsurfing.com for free board in the homes of volunteer hosts.

Step 5

Plan activities for the duration of your stay. Purchase tickets for tours, concerts and plays one week in advance to ensure availability. Research tourist attractions before arrival in travel guides, such as Fodor’s or Lonely Planet.

Step 6

Make arrangements for while you are away. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need a friend to look after your house and/or pets and collect mail. Be sure these arrangements are set at least one week before you leave.

Step 7

Gather all necessary travel documents before departure. Depending on destinations this may include tickets, photo identification, passport and immunization records. These should be packed in your carry-on luggage and made easily accessible.